Ranunculus asiaticus &#39;ABATLAUA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ranunculus  cultivar named ‘ABATLAUA’ is disclosed, characterized by a unique combination of colors in the corolla, including greens and purples. The corolla has a rounded shape when it is fully open. The petals are uniquely rippled in texture. Plants are highly productive and flowers have an exceptionally long vase life. The new variety is a  Ranunculus , normally produced as a cut flower and potentially useful as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Ranunculus asiaticus.

Variety denomination: ‘ABATLAUA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Ranunculus cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Alberto Biancheri in Camporosso Mare, Italy.The cross resulting in this new variety was made during 2007.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, proprietary variety referred to asRanunculus ‘PPBsfRS159.05’. The pollen parent is the unpatented,proprietary variety referred to as Ranunculus ‘AB5’. The new variety wasdiscovered in 2010 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resultingfrom the 2007 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Camporosso Mare,Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first performed byvegetative division of buds sprouting from the rhizome of the selectedplant. Subsequent propagation has been performed by tissue culture.First propagation took place at a research greenhouse in CamporossoMare, Italy in 2010 and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiple successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ABATLAUA’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ABATLAUA’ as a new and distinct Ranunculuscultivar:

1. Unique combination of green and purple colors in the corolla.2. Rounded shape of the corolla when it is fully open.3. Petals have a unique rippled texture.4. Exceptionally long vase life.5. High productivity.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ are similar to plants of the seedparent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of thenew cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ differ in the following;

1. Flower color of the new variety is different.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ differ in the following;

1. The pollen parent has a solid flower color.2. Flower shape of the new variety is different.3. Combination of colors in the corolla.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ABATLAUA’ are comparable to the commercialvariety Ranunculus ‘ABOSHOSSI’, filed concurrently. The two Ranunculusvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘ABATLAUA’ differs in the following:

1. Combination of colors in the corolla; ‘ABATLAUA’ has a corolla whichis shades of purple and green, corolla color of ‘ABOSHOSSI’ is shades ofred and green.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full colorflowering plants of the new variety at approximately five months old,grown in a greenhouse.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of plant parts. The photographs were takenusing conventional techniques and although colors may appear differentfrom actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate aspossible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 6^(th) edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The followingobservations and measurements describe ‘ABATLAUA’ plants grown in agreenhouse Camporosso Mare, Italy. The plant described has beencultivated under glass, planted in the months of September and describedin the month of February. One must always refer to these conditions ofseason and culture, when considering the present description. By reasonof different climate or culture conditions, differences may arisebetween certain characteristics of the plant and the correspondingcharacteristics of the description. It should be considered as normaland do not modify the essence of the present invention because it willpossible to identify the plant by means of the totality of thecharacteristics given in the description. The rhizome has been plantedon raised benches in a peat and pumice substrate mixture. The growingtemperature ranged from 12° C. to 25° C. during the day and from 2° C.to 8° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normalsunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ranunculus asiaticus ‘ABATLAUA’.-   Propagation:    -   -   Time to rooting.—15 days at approximately 10-12° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted plantlet.—20 days.        -   Root description.—Secondary roots grow from the rhizome and            are fasciculate type.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial, robust plant, semi-erect            vegetation.        -   Height to top flower.—45 to 50 cm.        -   Plant spread.—50 to 70 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Medium.        -   Branching characteristics.—Main floral stems grow from a            basal rosette, with 1 or 2 lateral branches, each one of            which has a flower.        -   Length of lateral branches.—40 to 50 cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—0.5 to 0.7 cm.        -   Texture of lateral branches.—Slightly tomentose.        -   Internode length.—Internodes are extremely close together,            forming a basal rosette.        -   Strength of lateral branches.—Medium.        -   Color of lateral branches.—Yellow Green (RHS 146C).        -   Aspect/angle of branches.—20° to 25°.        -   Number of Leaves per lateral branch.—Usually 2.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—The leaves, usually numerous, have a marked            heterophyllia, in relation to the degree of their            development and their position on the plant (base of the            plant; floral stem).        -   Leaf at the base of the plant.—Arrangement: Simple (young            leaf, YL); Biternate (mature leaf, ML). Average Length: 25            to 35 cm. Average Width: 10 to 20 cm. Overall Shape of            blade: Obovate (young leaf); Palmatipartite (mature leaf).            Dissected leaves, describe lobes, quantity of dissection:            Young leaves are generally not lobed; mature leaves are            generally divided in 3 parts, each one of which is further            divided in 3 or more lobes. Apex: Rounded (young leaf);            Acute (mature leaf). Base: Rounded. Attachment: Base of the            plant. Margin: Crenate (young leaf); Dentate (mature leaf).            Texture of top surface: Slightly tomentose. Texture of            bottom surface: Slightly tomentose. Appearance of top            surface: Glossy. Appearance bottom surface: Glossy. Leaf            internode length: The internodes are extremely close            together, forming a basal rosette. Color: Young foliage            upper side: Green (RHS 138A). Young foliage under side:            Green (RHS 138B). Mature foliage upper side: Green (RHS            137B). Mature foliage under side: Green (RHS 138B).            Venation: Type: Dichotomous; plunging in to the limb at the            upper surface; raised on the limb at the lower surface.            Venation color upper side: Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Venation            color under side: Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Petiole: Petiole:            Long, tubular, rigid. Length: 12 to 18 cm. Diameter: 0.2 to            0.7 cm. Pubescence: Slightly tomentose. Color: Yellow Green            (RHS 146C)        -   Leaf inserted at the nodes of the floral stems            (sl).—Arrangement: Biternate. Average Length: 15 to 20 cm.            Average Width: 10 to 15 cm. Overall Shape of blade:            Palmatipartite. Dissected leaves, describe lobes, quantity            of dissection: Generally divided in 3 parts, each one of            which is further divided in many deeply incised lobes. Apex:            Acute. Base: Acute. Attachment: Floral stems. Margin:            Dentate. Texture of top surface: Slightly tomentose. Texture            of bottom surface: Slightly tomentose. Appearance of top            surface: Matte. Appearance bottom surface: Glossy. Leaf            internode length: 3 to 4 cm. Color: foliage upper side:            Green (RHS 137B). foliage under side: Green (RHS 138B).            Venation: Type: Dichotomous, plunging in to the limb at the            upper surface and raised on the limb at the lower surface.            Venation color upper side: Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Venation            color under side: Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Petiole: Petiole:            Long, slightly flat, rigid. Length: 8 to 16 cm. Diameter:            0.3 to 0.5 cm. Pubescence: Slightly tomentose. Color:            YellowGreen (RHS 146C).-   Flower:    -   -   Bloom period.—Winter to Spring.        -   Vase life (cut flower).—15 to 20 days.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-Cleaning.        -   Bud.—Closed bud (CB): Shape: Flattened globular. Length: 0.5            to 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.7 to 1.5 cm. Color: Green (RHS 137B)            at the center; Purple (RHS N79B) along the venations and            Yellow Green (RHS 145B) near the base. Slightly open bud            (OB): Shape: Flattened globular. Length: 0.7 to 1.0 cm.            Diameter: 1.6 to 2.0 cm. Color: Yellow Green (RHS 146C);            Purple (RHS N79B/N79C) near the margins.        -   Flower size (of _(1.2)).—Diameter: 8 to 15 cm. Height: 2.5            to 3.5 cm.        -   Corolla (of _(1.2)).—Round, regular, in the form of a            flattened sphere with slightly festooned edges. Petals:            Arrangement: Imbricated, disposed on the receptacle in very            tight verticils. The size of the petals is quite variable,            according to the position in the corolla, decreasing from            the exterior toward the center. The average size of fully            developed petal is as follows: Lobe Length: 4.0 to 5.5 cm.            Lobe Width: 3.5 to 5.0 cm. Quantity: Double flower, petals            are very numerous (>100). Texture: Silky, thin, resistant.            Lobe Apex: Rounded. Lobe shape: Obovate. Margin: Entire or            slightly Crenate to Sinuate. Aspect: Rhomboid, concave with            moderately reflexed apex when flower is fully opened. Color            when opening (CF): Upper surface: Purple (RHS N79C) near the            margin; Yellow Green (RHS 146C) from the center towards            base. Lower surface: Purple (RHS N79C) near the margin; Red            Purple (RHS 71A) and Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Color Fully            opened (OF₁): Upper surface (PU₁): Purple (RHS N79C) near            the margin; Red Purple (RHS 71A) fading to white from the            margin towards the center; Yellow Green (RHS 146C) from the            center towards the base. Lower surface (PL₁): Purple (RHS            N79C) near the margin; Red Purple (RHS 71A) and Yellow Green            (RHS 146C). Other cultural improvements or features: In this            variety, the colors of the corolla could present a lack of            Purple tones and an increase of Green tones. This is already            noticeable in the flowers that are opening and is present in            those that are wide open (OF₂; PU₂. PL₂). This variation of            color, partially typical of this variety, is accentuated in            particular growing conditions, in relation to light            exposure, to the temperature and to the different            composition of fertilizers used by the various farms. Calyx            to Sepals (S): Quantity per flower: 6 to 8. Shape: Concave,            moderately incurved. Length: 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Width: 0.8 to            1.8 cm. Apex: Acute to Suboptuse. Base: Flat to Slightly            rounded. Margin: Entire; Dentate at the apex. Texture: Lower            surface is tomentose; Upper surface is glabrous. Color Upper            Surface: Green (RHS 138B). Color Lower Surface: Green (RHS            137B); Red Purple (RHS 71A) along venation.        -   Peduncle.—None.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 35 to 45 cm. Diameter: 0.8 to 1.2 cm.            Color: Yellow Green (RHS 146C). Orientation: Upright,            straight, rigid. Pubescence: Slightly tomentose.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: Transformed as petals.        -   Gynoecium.—The pistils are numerous, short, fused together            at the center of the corolla in a Strong Yellow Green (RHS            144B) and Purple (RHS N79B), irregular, dome-shaped            apocarpous gynoecium.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Seeds and fruit production not observed.        -   Disease to pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to normal diseases and pests of Ranunculus            has been observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Upper and lower temperature tolerance            not observed, plants have been grown in a climate controlled            greenhouse. Ranunculus asiaticus typically tolerates            temperatures within USDA Zones 7 to 11.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ranunculus plantnamed ‘ABATLAUA’ as herein illustrated and described.